Back-off jar



March 27, 1956 Filed March 16, 1950 M. M. KINLEY ET AL BACK-OFF JAR 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 7 1/0/71? C. K/n/ey Myron M. Km/ey IN V EN TORS film 504w? BY mmm A TTORNEYS March 27, 1956 Filed March 16, 1950 M. M. KlNLEY ETAL BACK-OFF JAR 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 7 Myron M Aln/ey IN VEN TORS y (10 42 7: 6' HFL W A TTORNFYJ 1 tare BACK-(EFF ran Myron M. Kinley and John C. Kinley, Houston, Tern; said Myron M. Kinley assignor to said .lohn C. Kinley Application March 16, 1950, Serial No. 149,993

12 Claims. (Cl. 156-473) happens that it is desirable to remove a portion ofthe drill string which may have become stuck during the drilling operation. It is often desirable to disconnect a threaded connection between sections of the tubing string or casing which is cemented in a well or has become stuck therein. It is impossible to unscrew the drill string, tubing or casing, by merely rotating such pipe at the surface of the well bore inasmuch as the location of the disconnect is indefinite and may release it at all only a short section of the string of which recovery is desired.

Various cutter devices and explosive means have been proposed which are adapted to be lowered into the well bore to effect cutting of the drill pipe, tubing or casing, but such operation is time consuming and tedious and requires the use of complicated mechanism.

The present invention is directed to a device which may be lowered on a wire line in pipe in a well bore, which device may be located at a predetermined elevation in such pipe and by manipulation thereof impart a rotary jar to the pipe adjacent a joint or threaded connection in order to efiect unscrewing or screwing of the pipe at such joint.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device which may be lowered into a pipe in a well bore and which may be successively positioned at different elevations in the pipe adjacent jointed sections thereof whereby a rotary jar or impact may be imparted to such pipe adjacent the joint to ettect the screwing and unscrewing thereof, thereby locating the position at which the pipe is stuck" in the well bore.

Still another object of the invention is to provide in a device which is adapted to impart a rotary jar to jointed sections of pipe in a well bore, means for engaging the device in the pipe adjacent a jointed section, and means to transform vertical movement of a mandrel through the device into rotary movement to impart a rotary jar to the pipe.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an efiicient and easy method for removing sections of jointed pipe in a well bore by imparting a rotary jar to such jointed sections at predetermined elevations in the pipe.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an efiicient and easy method for removing sections of jointed pipe in a well bore by imparting a rotary jar to such jointed sections at predetermined elevations in the pipe, while simultaneously applying a rotary torque to the pipe at top of the well bore.

A still further object of the invention isto' provide in a device for applying a rotary torque to sections of pipe in a well bore embodying a mandrel slidably mounted therein, resiliently supported slip means mounted on said body adapted for movement therealong to engage the pipe through which the device is moved, a lug on said mandrel 2,739,654 Patented Mar. 27', 1956 ll (5 fitting in a shaped slot in the body to transform vertical movement of said mandrel into rotary movement, and a shoulder on said body which cooperates with a shoulder on said mandrel to receive the rotary impact of the mandrel to transmit a rotary torque to the body and to the pipe in which it is positioned.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide in a device for imparting a rotary torque or jar to jointed sections of pipe in a well bore, means for engaging the device adjacent a joint in such pipe, means for positioning the device to the pipe adjacent the joint, and additional means for imparting a rotary impact to the body and connected pipe adjacent the joint to effect rotary movement of the pipe.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from a consideration of the following description and drawings in which:

Fig. l is a vertical elevational View illustrating an embodiment of the invention being lowered through the pipe.

Fig. 2 is a vertical elevational view of the device illustrating it in a position ready to be engaged in a pipe in the well bore.

Fig. 3 is a vertical elevational view showing the device positioned adjacent a jointed section of pipe in' the well bore and positioned thereat by the slip means.

Fig. 4 is a vertical elevational view similar to that illustrated in Fig. 3 and showing the mandrel in an opera.- tive position ready to transmit a rotary torque or impact through the slip to the pipe.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view partly in elevation illustrating a detail of construction and showing the slip in engagement with the pipe.

Fig. 6 is a vertical elevational view partly in section showing in detail a form of the engaging means for engage ing the device in a joint of a jointed section of pipe and a form of the shaped slot in the body to transform vertical movement of the mandrel therethrough into rotary move ment.

Fig. 7 is a sectional View on the line 7-7 of Fig.5.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view on the line 8-8 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 illustrates a form of the slip surface.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment ofthe cooperating means on the mandrel and the body for transforming vertical movement of such mandrel through the body into rotary movement.

In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the device is denoted generally by the numeral 2 and is shown as comprising the hollow body 3 having the tapered portion 4 thereon, with slips 5 adapted to move along the body and a mandrel or elongate body 6 movable through the hollow body 3. The portion 7 of the mandrel 6 is of a size to slidably fit within the body 3 and is provided with a lug 8 adapted to cooperate with the shaped slot 9 whereby vertical movement of the portion 7 of the. mandrel 6 through the body 3 may be transformed from vertical movement into rotary movement as will be more fully described hereinafter. The mandrel 6 may be provided with a weight it to increase the effect of the impact of the rotary jar.

Any suitable means are provided to keep the device from positioning itself in the well pipe prematurely.

The drawings illustrate a form of such means which may be employed to accomplish this, which means comprise the sleeve 11.

A sleeve 11 is adapted to fit about the body and is of a size to pass into the pipe in which the device is to be positioned. Spring fingers 13 arranged adjacent the top 14 of the sleeve 11 are adapted to engage in the joint- 15 upon upward movement of the device through the well here to shear the pin ltd connecting the sleeve 11 to the body 3. When this occurs, the sleeve will assume the position as indicated in Figure 2 of the drawing exposing the engaging means 17 supporting the spring 13 and slips 5. As seen in Figure 1, the sleeve 11 is in such a position about the body 3 so as to retain the engaging means 17 m non-exposed relation or in inactive position to prevent premature setting of the device in the well pipe.

After the sleeve has been moved to the position illus trated in Figure 3 the engaging means 17 are adapted to spring outwardly and engage in the joint or coupling securing the sections 18 and 19 of the well pipe together. The engaging means 17 are illustrated as comprising a plurality of spring fingers 21 which are constantly urged outwardly of the periphery of the body of the tool 3 by the leaf springs 22. Thus when the sleeve 11 exposes them to the joint or coupling 15 between. the sections 18' and 19 of the well pipe 29, they move outwardly into the space 23 formed between the ends 24 and 25 of the pipe sections 18' and 19 respectively. Continued downward movement of the body 3 causes the slips 5 with lugs 5' on the back thereof to move in the grooves 4' on the through the slips 5 to the pipe 20.

A cooperating shoulder 29 on the lower end 30 of the mandrel 6 is adapted to engage the shoulder 28 where by such rotary torque or rotary impact is transmitted from the mandrel to the body, slip and the pipe.

Attention is directed to the lug 8 and cooperating shaped slot 9 in the body 3. As more clearly shown in Figure 6 the shaped slot 9 extends longitudinally of the body 3 for a substantial distance as indicated at 31 and then gradually curves as indicated at 32 to extend circumferentially around the body 3 as shown at 32'. As the mandrel 6 is dropped through the body 3, pin 8 guides its movement longitudinally through the body and gradually changes such longitudinal movement to a circumferential movement whereby a rotary impact or torque is transmitted from the shoulder 29 on the mandrel 6 to the shoulder 28 on the body 3. This impact is then transmitted through the slips 5 to the pipe denoted at 20. A collar 33 as more clearly seen in Figure 7 is arranged on the body 3 and is provided with grooves 35 to guide the arms 36 of the slips 5 on to and off of the tapered portion 4 of the body 3.

It is desirable that as much weight as possible be located on the mandrel closely adjacent the impact shoulders so that as the mandrel is dropped the greatest momentum will be developed in as short a travel as possible.

Attention is also directed to the construction in that it is desirable to have the slips, in close proximity to the impact shoulders and a solid connection between, the slips, body of the tool and pipe 20. This is to inhibit loss of impact force through play or looseness between the slips and body and in the elasticity of the metal itself.

The engaging means 17 comprising the finger 21 supported by the leaf springs 22 may be secured in the body in any suitable manner such as that illustrated in Figure 6. Pins 36' extending through the upper end of the finger 21 are adapted to be engaged in the body 3 thereby pivotally securing such fingers in the slot 37 of the collar 38 which supports spring 18. The fingers 21, the collar 38, spring 18, and slips 5 are adapted for longitudinal movement relative to the body 3 of the device. The slip arm 36 is secured into collar 40 by any suitable means such as that illustrated in Figure 5 such as pins or the like which allow them to pivot relative to the collar 40. The collar 40 also forms the top support surface for the spring 18.

It seems obvious, of course, that any suitable means f It relative to the body can be provided, and numerous mechanical means may be employed to retain such engaging means in unexposed position until they are needed without departing from the scope of the invention.

It is to be noted that the top end 27 of the body 3 adjacent the shoulder 28 is provided with a gradual tapered surface 41 which is complementary to the tapered surface 42 of the end 30 of the mandrel 6. These surfaces provide clearance for the shoulder as they move into impact relation as illustrated in Figure 3.

While it is believed that the operation of the invention is apparent by reason of the foregoing explanation, the following will be given as way of summary and explanation of the invention.

The device may be lowered into the well pipe 20 by any suitable means such as a wire line or the like to a desired depth. As the device descends through the well pipe 20, the sleeve 11 prevents the engaging means 17 from actively positioning the device in the well pipe prematurely. However, after the predetermined level in the well pipe has been reached the engaging means 17 may be exposed to active position by moving the device up through the well pipe until the finger leaf springs 13 contact in the couplings 15 to shear the pin 16. When this occurs, the engaging means 17 tend to spring outwardly so that as the device is then lowered relative to the joint, such engaging means will engage in the space 23 between the ends 24 and 25 of the adjacent sections 18 and 19 of the well pipe 20.

In order to engage the slips 5 upon the tapered portion 4 of the body 3 to position the device in the well pipe, the mandrel may be dropped or moved longitudinally through the body 3 whereby a rotary impact is imparted to the device. When this occurs the first time, the body 3 will tend to move downwardly and around through the well pipe. However, the engaging means 17 prevent downward movement of collar 38, spring 18 and the slips 5 supported on movable collar 40, thereby compressing such spring and causing the slips 5 to move along the grooves 4 and upon the tapered portion 4 of the body 3 to engage such slips with the interior 46 of the section 18 of the well pipe 20. It is to be noted that the device is therefore located adjacent a joint in the jointed section of pipe so that as rotary impact or torque is applied to the pipe adjacent such joint, the threaded connection between the pipe section 18 and joint 15 will be afliected.

After the device is positioned in the well pipe 20 adjacent the coupling 15, a pull on the wire line or other means by which the device is lowered into the well pipe will cause mandrel 6 to move to its uppermost position in the shaped slot 9 as indicated in Figure l. The mandrel 6 may then be dropped whereupon it will move longitudinally through the body 3 until the lug 8 engages the tapered and curved portion 32 of the shaped slot 9 whereupon the mandrel 6 is rotated relative to the body 3. Such rotation of the mandrel 6 is due to the fact that the lug or pin 8 is connected to the mandrel 6 so that as the lug 8 is guided in a rotational movement by the slot 9 during the longitudinal downward movement of the mandrel 6,

for positioning the device in the pipe and any suitable the mandrel 6 is likewise turned or moved in a rotational direction which is controlled by the curvature of the slot 9. As best seen in Figure 10, the curvature of the slot 9 gradually increases as the lug 8 approaches the lower end of the 'slot 9 so that the rate of rotational movement of the mandrel 6 is gradually increased. The vertical momentum of the mandrel is thus gradually changed to an angular momentum which causes the shoulders 28 and 29 on the body and mandrel 6 to move toward each other during the downward travel of the mandrel relative to the body and to engage each other with a jarring rotary int.- pact during such rotation of the mandrel whereupon a rotary impact is transmitted to such body, the slipsand engaged pipe section 18'.

If the shaped slot is in the direction illustrated in the drawing a rotary torque will be imparted to the, pipe sec-.

are-seat tion 18" which will tendto unscrew it. fromthe pipe .cou: pling .15. It seemsobvious, of course, that by changing the direction of the curvature in the slot 9andthe shoulders 28, 29 opposite to that shown in the .drawing,,the device may be used to screw the pipe section 18' into the coupling 15.

A device of this type is particularly adaptable in well pipe, where such well pipe has becomesstuck in the well bore. The slips 5 may be disengaged from the tapered portion 4 and the inner periphery 46 of the well pipe by moving the mandrel upwardly until the shoulder 50 (Figs. 6 and thereon engages lug 51 (Fig. 6) on thebody which moves the body 3 upwardly, thereby releasing-the slips. The device could then be: removed from the well bore to permit the removal of the disconnected pipe, or to proceed to a diiferent .elevation to repeat the process.

If after continued operation of the devicea reverse torque be applied at the top of the well boreonthe string of well pipe and it refuses to move, it would indicate. to the operator that the device is operating in the well. pipe below the level at which such. pipe is stuck in the well bore. Continued operations of the device at various levels would eventually effect a release of the pipe section from a coupling above the level at which such pipe is stuck .in the well bore.

This instant invention contemplates a device for locating the level at which well pipe is stuck in a well bore. By applying a torque at the top of the well bore-.to the pipe in which the device is to beoperated while simultaneously applying a mechanical or rotary jar to the pipe at successive jointed sections to unscrew the. pipe will .determine the level of sticking. or obstruction. in the well bore. So long as the device is below thelevelof obstruction, it will not unscrew, since the pipe is being gripped by the obstruction.

The invention also contemplates a method and. apparatus for screwing and unscrewing jointed sections of pipe in situ in a well bore by applying a rotary torque at the top of the well bore to the pipein which it is desired to operate the device while simultaneously applying an impact or rotary impact adjacent the joint at which the pipe is to be unthreaded.

The slips 5 may be disengaged from the tapered portion 4 and inner periphery 46 of the well pipe by moving the mandrel upwardly untilthe shoulder 50 thereon engages lug 51 on the body which moves the body 3- upwardly, thereby releasing the slips. The device could then be removed from the well bore to permit the removal of the disconnected pipe, or to' proceed to a different elevation to repeat the process.

It seems obvious, of course, thattheforegoing explanation is merely by way of exemplary of the operation of the invention. Various mechanical structures could be devised to obtain the desired results without departing from the scope of the invention hereindescribed.

What is claimed is:

l. A device for applying a rotary torque to sections of pipe in a well bore comprising, a hollow body, a weighted mandrel therein, a tapered portion on said body, resiliently supported slip means adapted for movement along said portion to engage the device in the pipe, a lug on said mandrel sitting in a shaped slot in said body to transform vertical movement of said mandrel into rotary movement, a shoulder on said body, a cooperating shoulder on said mandrel which engages said body shoulder during rotary movement of said mandrel to transmit a rotary torque to said body and to the pipe in which it is positioned by said slip means.

2. A device for applying a rotary torque to sections of pipe in a well bore comprising, a hollow body, a weighted mandrel therein, a tapered portion on said body, resiliently supported clip means adapted for movement along said portion to engage the device in the pipe, engaging means on said slip means to position said slips in the pipe for movement along said tapered portion, means releasably secured. to said body to expose said engagement means at a, predeterminedtime", a lug .on'said mandrel sittingin 1 a .shapedslot in said body to transform vertical movement. of said mandrel into rotary movement, a shoulder on said body, a cooperating shoulder on said mandrel which engages said body shoulder during rotary movement of said mandrel to transmit a rotary torque to said body andto thepipe in which it is positioned by said slip means.

3. A device for imparting a rotary jar to a section of pipe, comprising. a body, a mandrel movable therein,c lip means on said body to engage the pipe and position said body therewith, cooperating means on said mandrel and body for changing vertical movement of said mandrelthrough said body to rotary movement, and means including co-acting substantially longitudinal surfaces on said mandrel and on said body engageable with .each other during the rotary movement of saidmandrel to transmit therotary movement of said mandrel to said body whereby a rotary jar is transmitted through said, body to the pipe.

4. A device for imparting a rotary jar to a jointed section of pipe, comprising a body, a-weighted mandrelmovable therethrough, a tapered portion on said body, slip means adapted to engage on said portion, means on said slips to engage a joint whereby said body may be moved relative to said slips to move said slips upon said tapered portion and engage the pipe. adjacent the joint, cooperat: ing means on said mandrel and body for changing vertical movement of said mandrel throughsaidbody to rotary movement, and means including co-acting substantially longitudinal surfaces on said mandrel and on said body engageable with each other during the rotarymovement of said mandrel to transmit the rotary movement ofsaid mandrel to said body whereby a rotary jar is-trans mitted through said bodyto the pipe adjacent the joint.

5. A device for imparting a rotary jar to a jointed section of pipe, comprising a body, a weighted mandrel. movable therethrough, a tapered portion on said body, slip means adapted to engage on said portion, engaging. means connected to said slips to. engage in a jointofsaid pipe, a sleeve surrounding said engaging means, means; on said sleeve adapted to engage in a joint upon upward movement of the device and to remove said sleeve from its position about said engaging means whereby, suchengaging meansare exposed to engage in a joint of said' pipe to position said slips relative to said body to move said'slips upon said tapered portion and engage the-pipe;

adjacent the joint, cooperating means on said. mandrel and body for changing vertical movement of said mandrel through said body to rotary movement, and means onsaid body to receive the impact of the rotary movement of said mandrel whereby a rotary jar is transmitted through said.

body to the pipe adjacent the joint.

6. A device for imparting a rotary jar to a jointed section of pipe, comprising a body, a weighted mandrel movable therethrough, a tapered portion on sai'd body, spring supported slip means adapted" to engage on said portion, engaging means connected to said slips to engage in a joint of said pipe, a sleeve surrounding said engaging means, means on said sleeve adapted to engage in a joint upon upward movement of the device and to remove said sleeve from its position about said engaging means whereby such engaging means are exposed to engage in a joint of said pipe to position said slips relative to said body to move said slips upon said tapered portion and engage the pipe adjacent the joint, cooperating means on said mandrel and body for changing vertical movement of said mandrel through said body to rotary movement, and means on said body to receive the impact of the rotary movement of said mandrel whereby a rotary jar is transmitted through said body to the pipe adjacent the joint.

7. A device for screwing and unscrewing jointed sections of pipe in a well bore, comprising, a body, a device for imparting a rotary jar to a jointed section of pipe comprising a body, a weighted mandrel movable therethrough,

a tapered portion on said body, spring supported slip means adapted to engage on said portion, engaging means connected to said slips to engage in a joint of said pipe, a sleeve surrounding said engaging means, means on said sleeve adapted to engage in a joint upon upward movement of the device and to remove said sleeve from its position about said engaging means whereby such engaging means are exposed to engage in a joint of said pipe to position said slips relative to said body to move said slips upon said tapered portion and engage the pipe adjacent the joint, cooperating means on said mandrel and body for changing vertical movement of said mandrel through said body to rotary movement, and means on said body to receive the impact of the rotary movement of said mandrel whereby a rotary jar is transmitted through said body to the pipe adjacent the joint, and means on said body cooperable with means on said mandrel to release said slips.

8. A device for applying a rotary torque to a tubular member in a well bore, comprising a hollow body, a

mandrel therein, connecting means for connecting said body to said tubular member, a lug on said mandrel sitting in a shaped slot in said body to transform substantially vertical movement of said mandrel into rotary movement, a shoulder on said body, and a cooperating shoulder on said mandrel which engages said body shoulder during rotary movement of said mandrel to transmit a rotary jar to said body and to the tubular member with which it is connected.

9. A device for applying a rotary torque to a tubular member in a well bore, comprising a hollow body, an elongate body slidably positioned in said hollow body, connecting means for connecting one of said bodies to said tubular member, a lug on said elongate body sitting in a shaped slot in said body to transform. substantially vertical movement of said bodies relative to each other into rotary movement of said bodies relative to each other, a shoulder on said hollow body, and a cooperating shoulder on said elongate body which engages said hollow body shoulder during said relative rotary movement to thereby transmit a rotary jar to said one of said bodies and to the tubular member with which it is connected.

10. A device for applying a rotary torque to a pipe in a well bore, comprising a hollow body, an elongate body slidably positioned in said hollow body, connecting means for connecting one of said bodies to said pipe, a lug on said elongate body sitting in a shaped slot in said body to transform substantially vertical movement of said bodies relative to each other into rotary movement of said bodies relative to each other, a shoulder on said hollow body, a cooperating shoulder on said elongate body which engages said hollow body shoulder during said relative rotary movement to thereby transmit a rotary jar to said one of said bodies and to the pipe with which it is connected, and means for simultaneously applying a rotary torque to the pipe at the top of the well in addition to said rotary jar and in a direction to supplement said rotary jar.

11. A device for applying a rotary torque to one of a plurality of pipe sections in a well bore, comprising a hollow body, an elongate body slidably positioned in said hollow body, connecting means for connecting one of said bodies to said one of said pipe sections, a lug on said elongate body sitting in a shaped slot in said body to transform substantially vertical movement of said bodies relative to each other into rotary movement of said bodies relative to each other, a shoulder on said hollow body, a cooperating shoulder on said elongate body which engages said hollow body shoulder during said relative rotary movement to thereby transmit a rotary jar to said one of said bodies and to the pipe section with which it is connected, and locating means with one of said bodies adapted to engage in a selected joint connecting said one of pipe sections to an adjacent pipe section to position said bodies adjacent said selected joint for thereafter effecting the aforesaid rotary jar of said one of said pipe sections.

12. A device for applying a rotary jar, comprising a body, a mandrel mounted in said body for longitudinal movement relative thereto, means on said mandrel en gaging said body for converting the longitudinal movement of said mandrel to rotary movement thereof relative to said body, and means imparting a rotary jar from said mandrel to said body, said last-mentioned means including co-acting surfaces on said mandrel and said body longitudinally spaced from each other during the longitudinal movement of the mandrel relative to the body and movable into jarring engagement with each other during the rotary movement of the mandrel to transmit the rotary movement of the mandrel to the body with a rotary jarring impact, said means on said mandrel engaging said body including a pin on said mandrel and a curved guide surface on said body with which said pin is adapted to engage during'the longitudinal movement of the pin with the mandrel, the curvature of said curved guide surface gradually increasing the rate of rotational movement of the pin and the mandrel relative to said body.

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